Montenegro Discrimination Council Backs LGBT Strategy

The Anti-Discrimination Council of Montenegro unanimously supported a draft Strategy for improving the quality of life of LGBT persons in the country.

BIRN

Podgorica

The Anti-Discrimination Council of Montenegro unanimously supported on Monday the draft Strategy for Improving Quality of Life of LGBT Persons for the period from 2013-2018.

"The Strategy recognises the needs and issues of the LGBT community, and proposes specific and adequate measures to address them," the Council said.

The Council also said the Working Group in charge of drafting the Strategy will continue its work in order to promote the platform.

The Council meeting also presented the actions taken towards implementing the Council of Europe’s LGBT project in Montenegro, entitled “Combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity” and the measures for implementing the project regarding police training.

The Council concluded that the project is essential for creating a tolerant and acceptable climate and providing adequate protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms of all social stakeholders in Montenegro.

Montenegro's first Gay Pride parade, organized by Gay rights activist Zdravko Cimbaljevic, was supposed to take place on May 31, 2011. It was canceled following two attacks directed at gay people in Podgorica ahead of the parade.

Cimbaljevic's NGO, Progress, is the only declared gay and lesbian organisation in Montenegro.

Premium Selection

With three new institutions finally established to vet Albania’s future judges and prosecutors, judicial reform looked promising. However, observers worry a lack of transparency will erode public trust in the process.